Speaking during swearing-in of the 80-member Fourth Parliament on Wednesday, September 19, Kagame said the pardon was one of the ways of accommodating criminals into the society just like rehabilitation.

“Just recently when we pardoned many people, including the so-called politicians who are more popular outside the country than they are here, it was in the same spirit. It is not the first time we have done this," said Kagame.

“Then you see people saying ‘I did not ask for mercy, they released us because of pressure’. Pressure here? If you continue believing that, don’t be shocked if you go back to jail,” he added.

Victoire Ingabire was released on Saturday, September 15, after spending 8 years in jail. Photo: UGCSource: UGC